Netherlands v New Zealand

Pool B

Match Report

New Zealand surprised the Dutch with an early Simon Child goal, but The Netherlands replied with five unanswered goals to stay on top on Pool B with their third win in so many matches.

New Zealand started with a bang, Simon Child opening the scoring within 5 minutes of play to give an early lead to the Kiwis. Sander De Wijn thought that he had equalized in the next play when he deflected in goal a Teun De Nooijer shot that was going wide, but the video-referral showed that he had played the ball with a high stick and the goal was denied.

On a penalty-corner earned by Robbert Kemperman in the 15th minute after a long run through defenders, Roderick Weusthof’s flick was well saved by Kyle Pontifex in goal for New Zealand but a stroke was given on the play and Weusthof did not miss his second chance to tie the score at 1-1.

Play was fast and physical between these two athletic teams, and Billy Bakker earned another penalty-stroke, this time converted by Mink Van Der Weerden to put The Netherlands back on top. The Dutch deepened the gap soon after by Billy Bakker, on hand to deflect in goal a shot by Rogier Hofman who had just run 50 meters with defenders on his heels. The Netherlands had another chance to score on a last second penalty-corner, but the wild goalmouth scramble was finally cleared and the score stayed at 3-1 for The Netherlands going into the break.

New Zealand were again fast of the block in second period and had a chance by Stephen Jenness, but Jaap Stockmann in the Dutch goal was ready for his sudden shot. Play became more structured, with each team enjoying longer periods of ball possession to develop their attacks and produce exciting end to end hockey. Jenness had another golden opportunity when he received a cross from Simon Child alone in front of the keeper but he could not adjust his reverse stick shot.

Billy Bakker did not waste the next chance at the other end when he received a deep ball at full speed to score his second goal of the match, establishing a seemingly insurmountable 4-1 lead for The Netherland. Robbert Kemperman added a fifth and final goal and The Netherlands rolled in to their third win in so many matches to stay on top of pool B.

(Yan Huckendubler)

Match Review

Robbert KEMPERMAN (NED), on how Netherlands beat New Zealand: "They also had chances to score, but we dominated the game and we had a lot of opportunities as well. What we did well was that we passed the ball into the midfield which we didn't do so much in the past two games. In those games we didn't know what to do or who to pass the ball to. This match we said to each other, just pass and play hockey like we can. We did well today."

On scoring the fifth goal for Netherlands: "I felt the goal coming, there was a lot of aggression in the goal that I scored. I was not happy with the chance I missed before and when I got the ball, I really hit it hard."

Blair HOPPING (NZL), on whether the score was a fair representation of how they played: "Well, yes, they did score five and we scored one, but we created more chances. We just couldn't capitalise on them. They had better control of the game, they held the pace. We went out to attack and the first half was really fierce, but we just couldn't get the goals. And of course they have some quality strikers."

On the penalty corner conceded by his 'bum': "I just tried to cover as much of the goal as possible. It was my stick I was trying to get in the way of the ball, but in the end it was my bum."

Bradley SHAW (NZL), on what went wrong for New Zealand against Netherlands: "We definitely didn't do what we needed to do up front, and we did some pretty bad things at the back that let them get easy goals. We were pretty good in the middle of the field, but we definitely need to be tighter at both ends. We just need to connect more, getting to the situation where it's one versus one or one versus two and it's not really working for us at the moment."

On the rule that the first runner (at a penalty corner) is removed from the subsequent penalty corner if they leave the line too early: "As long as the guy dragging out isn't doing anything silly, any movements that are going to try and trick you, it's pretty fair. The worst thing is if you are on the other side of it and guys get a head start at the top of the circle. I was pretty keen to get out there pretty quick and just leaning forwards too far forward and broke too early. It is a good rule though, it makes it even at a penalty corner."